BMW to launch distracted driving awareness campaign in late June

German automaker BMW will soon launch an advertising campaign that will likely put the company in the good graces of Department of Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Later this month, BMW will officially kick off its 'DON'T TXT & DRIVE' campaign through print and electronic media, aiming to curb what has become one of the most common behaviors leading to traffic accidents.

"Distracted driving is an epidemic in America, and it has deadly consequences for thousands of people on our roads each year," said LaHood. "I am grateful to BMW for their efforts to raise public awareness about distracted driving and for urging drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road. I hope that other automakers will follow their lead.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, two automakers - BMW and Subaru - have agreed with LaHood to implement a strategy that helps steer drivers away from texting while driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the age group with the greatest number of distracted drivers is under the age of 20, which may help explain why auto insurance rates tend to be higher among teenagers.